The Day the Waters Came

by Lisa Evans

It’s summer 2005. Maya Marsalis takes you by the hand, sometimes the throat, and leads you through her landscape the day Hurricane Katrina came, the levees broke, the world watched and the US government did nothing. Go with her as she shows you how her world and that of thousands of African-American citizens changed forever, the day the waters came.

Regular price $12.00

Quick Details

  • Type: Play
  • Length: 60 minutes
  • Availability: Available for productions in North America
  • Cast Size: 29 roles | Doubling possible for a minimum of 4 actors

Full Details

Roles:

  • Maya
  • Camille
  • Mom
  • Mr. Freeman
  • Miss Emma
  • Louis
  • Wilbur
  • Newsanchor
  • Dad
  • Bandana Man
  • Mattress Boy
  • Phyllis
  • Damon
  • Doctor
  • Patient
  • Paramedic
  • Coastguard
  • Genevieve
  • Young Man
  • Francine
  • Robert's Mom
  • Joy
  • Paris
  • Ernesto
  • Clayton
  • Hustler
  • Farrell
  • Alvin
  • Brother

Originally performed by an ensemble of 4 actors with 1 actor playing Maya and 3 actors weaving in and out of all other roles. Lines may be distributed based on ensemble size.

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

The following resources may be added to you license for an additional fee:
  • Logo/Media package

Lisa Evans

Lisa Evans is an award-winning playwright, whose work for the theatre includes Stamping, Shouting and Singing Home (which has been widely produced, including at the Mark Taper Forum in the USA, and in New Zealand), Getting to the Foot of the Mountain, Once We Were Mothers (finalist for the John Whiting Award), and Up the Duff (to be premiered at York Theatre Royal in November 2009 and toured nationally). Her stage adaptations include The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Villette, East Lynne, Frankenstein, Cat's Eye, Jamaica Inn and The Maid of Buttermere. Her plays are published by Oberon.

Besides her work for radio, Lisa also writes for television, where her credits include The Bill, Holby City, Casualty and EastEnders. Lisa has been Resident Writer at the Theatre Centre and at Temba Theatre Company. She is currently Associate Writer for the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick.

Originally produced by Redbridge Theatre Centre, UK, in 2010

Preview the Show

The Day the Waters Came at Theatre Centre, UK

Reviews

Empowering, shocking, touching … splendid, seamless script …Anyone interested in clear, incisive drama should see it”

- Reviewsgate, UK

An intense deeply though provoking play that lifts the lid on the personal devastation of hurricane Katrina… Though she has an audience of primarily teenagers and young adults in mind, Evans’ play has emotional hooks for everyone.

- Spoonfed, UK